Bella Maclean embodies timeless elegance on the cover of ELLE UK, highlighting her natural beauty in a minimalist photoshoot. The 28-year-old actress models flowing cream outfits with fresh-faced makeup, flaunting her figure in a form-fitting negligee-style dress and a draped backless blouse against a vibrant blue sky.
Breakout Role in Rivals
Maclean discusses her deep connection to Taggie O’Hara in the Disney+ series Rivals, adapted from Jilly Cooper’s 1988 novel. The comedy-drama, which premiered in October 2024, quickly gained massive popularity and secured a second season releasing this month. Season two continues the 1980s TV franchise rivalry, filled with romance, lust, and intrigue.
Laughter on Set Led to Firing Fears
Despite critical acclaim for season one, Maclean reveals she worried about being let go due to constant laughter caused by her co-stars. “I spent so much time laughing on this job that, in the first season, I was worried I’d be fired,” she explains. “Taggie is so serious and earnest – she’s wonderful to play – but I also have Alex Hassell and Katherine Parkinson and Danny Dyer, who all love making me break [character].”
The cast fosters a vibrant atmosphere. “When you’re on the cusp of laughing all the time, there’s an energy that’s so fizzy – everyone’s chemistry is so strong,” Maclean adds.
Strong On- and Off-Screen Bonds
Maclean, younger than most co-stars, forms close ties with Alex Hassell (Rupert Campbell-Black) and Danny Dyer (Freddie Jones). “One of the nicest things about this job is you end up with friends across completely different ages and backgrounds who you would never normally meet,” she says. “Alex is 45 – he’s some random bloke I met two years ago and is now my bezzie mate!”
Dyer offers unwavering support. “If I have something like a broken heart, Danny is the person I call,” Maclean shares. “There was an incident that happened and I called him up and he was like, ‘All right, where is he!’ He gives advice but it’s not even that. He has my back so much and I have his. Danny makes everyone feel like the most special person.”
Navigating the Age Gap
Maclean addresses the age difference between Taggie (aged up to 20 from 18 in the novels) and Rupert (37). Jilly Cooper supported the update for a modern perspective. “Jilly was so wonderful about it,” Maclean notes. “She knew it wasn’t the same Taggie as in the books. Although it’s set in the 80s, we’re telling it from a 21st Century lens. It’s still a massive age gap. I feel so strongly about this.”
She defends their romance as a profound bond. “I was so worried about what people would think. But Gen Z seem to love it! My girlfriends send me these really funny reels of me and Rupert on TikTok,” she says. “Because of the way it’s done, because they really loved each other at first sight, I just feel like it’s a soul connection with them. Taggie is wise beyond her years – she sees him for all his faults and believes he can change, and he really sees her. That’s what’s so painful. There’s so much going against them, but there’s a pureness to their love. It’s very Disney princessy, which I still love.”
Season Two Promises More Intensity
Co-stars hint at heightened drama. Danny Dyer, whose Freddie cheats with Katherine Parkinson’s Lizzie Vereker, observes, “We’re delving into the complications of two people who are madly in love but married with children to other people. There are a lot of people rooting for infidelity, which is quite rare.”
Aidan Turner (Declan O’Hara) describes a steamy shower scene with Victoria Smurfit’s Maud as “fun.” “Victoria and I are very comfortable with each other. We’ve worked together quite intimately since the first series and we just clicked straight away – it might be the Irish thing,” he says.
Emily Atack (Sarah Stratton) praises a challenging dinner party scene nailed in one take. “You’ve got to know the lines inside out, know every bit of the rhythm of it,” she explains, noting a genuine emotional breakdown during filming.
